Tiago Calvano of Sydney FC has been banned for eight games for contact with a referee.

Getty Images: Brett Hemmings

Sydney FC defender Tiago Calvano has been hit with an eight-game A-League ban for making contact with a referee.

The Brazilian was charged with "unsporting conduct towards a match official" over an incident involving referee Peter Green in the Sky Blues' round five win over Melbourne Victory.

On Thursday, the Football Federation Australia Disciplinary Committee headed by chairman John Marshall, finally announced their decision, meaning Calvano will be unavailable until late January.

If the off-contract Calvano receives a direct red card for any other offence during the current 2013/14 A-League season he will receive a further ban of four matches.

The penalty is significantly lighter than the nine- month ban goalkeeper Danny Vukovic receive when he slapped away the hand of referee Mark Shield in the Central Coast's 2008 grand final loss to Newcastle.

Calvano's extended absence is likely to give former Brisbane Roar defender Matt Jurman the chance to establish himself in Sydney's line-up.